Dar es Salaam. On a warm Dar es Salaam evening, with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium buzzing under the floodlights, Young Africans SC reminded Africa why they remain one of the continent’s rising giants.
Inspired by an outstanding performance from Pacôme Zouzoua, the Tanzanian champions sealed a 2–0 win over Silver Strikers of Malawi overturning their first-leg deficit and securing a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.
A Day to Remember at Benjamin Mkapa
The atmosphere before kick-off was electric. Thousands of fans dressed in yellow and green packed the stands, waving flags and chanting as the “Wananchi” took to the field, knowing that only victory would do.
The first leg in Lilongwe had ended 1–0 in favour of Silver Strikers, giving Yanga a mountain to climb but from the first whistle, there was no sign of hesitation.
Within minutes, Yanga seized control of the game. Their tempo was high, their passes sharp, and their confidence evident.
The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute, when vice-captain Dickson Job turned home a perfectly weighted corner from Mohamed Doumbia, sending the crowd into a frenzy and levelling the tie on aggregate.
As the half wore on, Yanga continued to dominate possession, moving the ball smoothly through midfield via Maxi Nzengeli and Duke Abuya.
Zouzoua, operating freely between the lines, repeatedly stretched Silver Strikers’ defence with his vision and close control.
The defining moment came in the 34th minute. After a series of intricate passes, Nzengeli spotted Zouzoua ghosting into the box and slid in a clever pass.
The Ivorian controlled, steadied himself, and fired a cool finish past goalkeeper George Chikooka sparking wild celebrations.
Moments earlier, he had been stretchered off after a heavy tackle that silenced the stadium. His dramatic return, capped by a crucial goal, sent the home supporters into delirium.
Zouzoua’s Brilliance and Yanga’s Growing Reputation
It was the kind of performance that underlined why Pacôme Zouzoua has become the heartbeat of this Yanga side.
His creativity, composure, and leadership on the pitch once again demonstrated his value in big games.
“Playing in front of these fans gives me strength,” Zouzoua said after the match.
“We knew we had to respond after losing the first leg, and tonight everyone gave their best. I’m happy we are back where we belong in the group stage.”
Dube’s Long Evening
For striker Prince Dube, however, it was an evening to forget.
The Zimbabwean forward started the game with intent but wasted several clear chances that could have killed the tie early.
On one occasion, he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fired wide.
He was substituted in the 80th minute for Andy Boyeli, walking off to a mixed reaction from the fans.
Coach Patrick Mabedi later defended his striker, saying: “Prince worked hard for the team. Strikers live on confidence and sometimes the ball just refuses to go in. What matters is that the team won and qualified.”
Tactical Tweaks and Team Spirit
Midway through the first half, Yanga were forced into a tactical reshuffle when Mudathir Yahya signalled to the bench with a slight injury in the 23rd minute.
Edmund John replaced him, and Nzengeli was moved centrally a decision that stabilised the midfield and allowed Yanga to keep their attacking rhythm.
Silver Strikers, for their part, looked shell-shocked.
They struggled to play out from the back as Yanga pressed relentlessly, forcing errors and winning second balls.
The visitors’ only notable chance in the first half came from a long-range effort that drifted harmlessly over the bar.
When Zouzoua netted the second, the stadium erupted one overjoyed fan even sprinted onto the pitch in celebration before being escorted away by security, symbolising the passion surrounding the evening.
The Second Half: Caution Over Chaos
In the second period, Yanga opted for control rather than chaos.
The tempo dropped as they sought to preserve their lead.
Silver Strikers made a few attacking substitutions and began to enjoy more possession, but their efforts met a wall in Job, Bacca, and goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who commanded his area confidently.
Mabedi later introduced Offen Chikola for Doumbia to maintain defensive balance as the clock wound down.
Despite the visitors’ late attempts, Yanga’s defensive discipline ensured that the two-goal cushion remained intact until the final whistle.
A Statement of Consistency
The full-time whistle was greeted by a deafening roar.
For Yanga, this victory represents not just another qualification, but a testament to consistency and ambition.
In the last three seasons, they have become a model of stability in East African football:
2022–23: CAF Confederation Cup finalists
2023–24: CAF Champions League quarter-finalists
2024–25: Back in the group stage, chasing new glory
